United Nations Success

United Nations Success and Challenges in the 21st Century By Dr. John O. Kakonge UNDP Resident Representative/UN Resident Coordinator 1.

What is the United Nations?

The United Nations is an intergovernmental organization or gathering of sovereign states, founded in the closing days of the Second World War. Its Charter was adopted and signed on 26 June 1945 by 51 founding members. Of these, 4 were from Africa (Ethiopia, Egypt, Liberia and South Africa). Membership to the United Nations is open to all peace-loving nations that accept the principles and obligations set out in its Charter. With the surge in decolonization, many states gained their independence and admission to the UN; and as a result membership rose from 51 in 1945 to 185 in 1997. The United Nations offers the world community a system of global governance. Its cardinal missions include: •

The maintenance of international peace and security;

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The promotion of higher standards of living, full employment, and conditions of economic and social progress and development;

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The promotion of solutions to international economic, social, health and related problems; and international cultural and educational cooperation;

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Universal respect for, and observance of, human rights and fundamental freedoms for all without distinction as to race, sex, language or religion.

The UN represents an invaluable global framework for international cooperation in a wide range of fields i.e. economic, social, political, cultural, educational and health fields. 2.

The United Nations System

The UN is a three-tiered system of independent inter-governmental organizations, related uniquely with each other. Allow me to briefly sketch the interdependent parts of the United Nations. It has six (6) principal organs. These are: the General Assembly; the Security Council; the Economic and Social Council; the Trusteeship Council; the International Court of Justice (World Court); and the Secretariat headed by the Secretary-General. •

General Assembly: The General Assembly is the main deliberating organ of the UN. All member states are represented in the General Assembly. The Assembly, in discharging its responsibilities, is assisted by committees, ad hoc bodies and other subsidiary organs. In the General Assembly, all member states, regardless of size or wealth, enjoy equal rights and privileges and bear the same duties and obligations.

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Security Council: The Security Council is primarily responsible for the maintenance of international peace and security. This responsibility is shared by the General Assembly and by all the functional elements of the UN. The Council has 15 members: five permanent members and ten elected members for two-year terms.

Under the Charter, all members of the United Nations agree to accept and carry out the decisions of the Security Council. Thus, while other organs of the UN make recommendations to member Governments, the Security Council alone has the power to take decisions which member states are obligated to carry out. •

Trusteeship Council: The Trusteeship Council is responsible for supervising the administration of Trust Territories placed under the Trusteeship system. The principal goals of the trusteeship system it to promote the advancement of the inhabitants of Trust Territories and their progressive development towards self-government or independence. The aims of the Trusteeship system have been largely achieved. Presently, of the original 11 Trusteeships, only one – Palau – remains a trustee under the administration of the United States.

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International Court of Justice: The International Court of Justice is the principal judicial organ of the United Nations. The jurisdiction of the court covers all questions which sovereign states refer to it, and all matters provided for in the United Nations Charter or in treaties or conventions in force. The Court consists of 15 judges elected by the General Assembly and the Security Council, voting independently. The seat of the Court is at The Hague, Netherlands.

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Secretariat: The Secretariat, an international staff working at the United Nations headquarters in New York and in the field, carries out the day-to-day work of the organization. The Secretariat is headed by the Secretary-General who is appointed by the General Assembly on the recommendation of the Security Council. The term of service is five years initially but this is subject to extension.

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Successes

The following are some of the successes of the UN:

i.

Promoting international relations and diplomacy over the last fifty years. For example, in 1946, a Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the UN staff was adopted. All staff and properties of the UN are exempt from taxation.

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ii.

Regulating the international travel through the certification of airports by the International Civil Aviation Organization and the establishment of safety standards.

iii.

Ensuring that products for export meet international standards (e.g. milk, bananas, coffee, tea and other products).

iv.

Ensuring that international agreements are implemented by the member states. For example, agreements relating to shared resources (i.e. animals, rivers/lakes, logging, etc.).

v.

Promoting cooperation among various countries, especially within the south. This cooperation has resulted to exchange visits, scholarships, businesses, etc. The South East Asia countries have benefited from the exchange of information and visits among the countries in their region.

vi.

Tackling common problems together, which in the end foster cooperation. E.g. the River Blindness Control Programme in West Africa has fostered cooperation among 11 West African states. Secondly, immunization campaigns by WHO and UNICEF of children under five years have reached over 80% of the world’s children who are under five years. Thirdly, the UN has been instrumental in the eradication of smallpox.

vii.

Helping African countries to prepare regional forecasts and analysis of socio-economic indicators among African countries, normally done by the UN Economic Commission for Africa.

viii.

Raising public awareness through organizing international conferences, e.g. environment (Rio), Human Settlement (Istanbul), Gender (Beijing), the plight of children (New York). Thereafter, liaising with international development agencies and building the consensus needed for action. Once forged, the consensus is translated into international norms and agreements, e.g. development is a human right, housing is a human right, education is a human right. Are these affordable? Are they realistic?

ix.

Supporting the decolonization of more than 80 nations, which were formerly under colonial rule and some were under UN Trusteeship arrangements. These nations gained independence and joined the UN as sovereign states, e.g. former British Colonies, former French Colonies, former Portuguese Colonies, former Spanish Colonies, etc.

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x.

Promoting technical assistance in various fields to its member states in the third world. Currently, there are many development and humanitarian activities, which the UN is funding all over the developing countries.

xi.

Providing shelter and relief to millions of refugees from war and persecution, and supporting the repatriation and resettlement of refugees and displaced persons.

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Challenges

i.

The size and bureaucracy of the UN system. UN mandates are extensive, complex and global. The system needs to be more efficient, effective and responsive.

ii.

Inadequate human and financial resources to carry out planned activities, e.g. peace keeping, which is a very important programme.

iii.

There are many flaws, as reflected in the outlays and duplication of functions, authorities and activities (e.g. UNESCO, UNCTAD, ILO, UNDP and UNIDO all have Science and Technology mandates).

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It is not transparent, but rather is controlled by a few members (e.g. Security Council).

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Lack of system-wide policy and programme coordination (each agency/organization is different).

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Conclusion

Despite some of its limitations, the UN is an indispensable organization, which has contributed immensely in the following areas: •

Promoting regional/sub-regional empowerment (e.g. Regional Commissions, OAU, ECOWAS).

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Promoting public awareness at various levels on specific problems/issues that cut across nations (e.g. population, environment, gender, small states, indigenous people, etc.).

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Fostering strong international cooperation

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Dismantling apartheid in South Africa, by portraying the true evil of racism.

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Making nations behave responsibly. (e.g. Iraq invading Kuwait, Indonesia/East Timor, South Africa/Namibia).

Without the UN, international relations would be very difficult. We would find it problematic to even travel within some of our own countries let alone around the world. The international diplomacy of the UN has helped to make the world a civilized and better place in which to live.

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